Realism comes down to three things: branches that are layered the way a real fir grows, lights woven inside the foliage rather than draped over the surface, and a full silhouette with no gaps showing the pole. In our range the Green Forest Fir with 400 LEDs is the most natural looking, with layered branches that cascade outwards and light that glows from within. The Green Spruce 7ft with 500 LEDs has the densest branching and the brightest glow for a large room. Whichever you choose, the single biggest factor in how real a tree looks is fluffing: take the time to spread every tip and it will look twice as full.

Green suits a traditional scheme with red, gold or coloured baubles and gives a warm, classic glow. Strong green choices are the Large Green Woodland (350 LED), the Green Forest Fir (400 LED) and the Green Spruce 7ft (500 LED). Snow-tipped trees give a cooler, wintry look that works beautifully with silver, white and natural decorations, and the snow catches the LEDs so the tree sparkles more. Good snow-tipped choices are the Large Snowy Woodland (350 LED) and the Snowy Forest Fir (400 LED). Most of our trees come in both finishes, so you can pick the shape you like and then decide on the look.

A fully flocked tree is coated in artificial snow across most of its branches, so it reads as white from a distance. A snow-tipped tree has the snow dusted on the ends of the branches, so you still see green underneath, which looks more like a tree after a light snowfall. All of our snowy trees are snow-tipped. Expect a few flakes to drop when you first set one up; that is normal and settles after the first season.

We have two snowy trees that come in their own pot, so no stand is needed. The Snowy Forest Fir Pre-Lit Tree in Pot (300 LED) has dense, frost-tipped branching and a decorative pot that suits traditional and contemporary rooms. The Snowy Norway Fir Pre-Lit Tree in Rattan Pot (300 LED) sits in a natural rattan basket, which gives it a Scandi feel that works well in modern and natural interiors. Both are snow-tipped rather than fully flocked.

Measure your ceiling and allow at least 25 to 30cm above the tree for a star or angel. Most UK homes have ceilings of around 2.4m, which makes a 7ft (210cm) tree the tallest that comfortably fits. Width matters just as much: measure the floor space you have, remembering that the widest branches are at the bottom. Every product page lists the dimensions, so check them against your room before ordering.

Yes, several. The Medium Green Woodland (200 LED) and Medium Snowy Woodland (200 LED) are sized for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways in flats. For a rattan basket, choose the Norway Fir in Rattan Pot in green or its snowy version; the basket replaces a stand, so the tree looks finished without a tree skirt. If you have height but little floor space, the Slim Snowy Woodland gives you a full 210cm tree on a 91cm footprint and weighs just 6.2kg.

No. Our potted and rattan basket trees are built into their own base, so they are ready to stand once assembled. They are a good choice for anyone who dislikes wrestling with a stand, and they look tidy in rooms where a tree skirt would get in the way.

Because the lights are already fitted through the branches, there is no untangling and no stringing, and the light sits inside the foliage rather than across the front. That gives the tree depth when it glows. All of our trees use warm white LEDs, which run cool to the touch and use far less power than old filament bulbs.

More LEDs give a denser, brighter glow. Our trees run from 200 LEDs on the medium sizes to 500 on the 7ft spruce, with each tree's count matched to its size. If you love a really bright tree, choose a higher count or add a set of cluster lights; if you prefer a soft glow that lets the ornaments shine, a lower count is ideal. Snow-tipped trees reflect light, so they look brighter than a green tree with the same number of LEDs.

Our trees and the pre-lit garland are for indoor use only. The pre-lit woodland fir wreath is suitable indoors and in sheltered outdoor positions, such as a front door under a porch, but should not be left exposed to driving rain. Always follow the instructions supplied with each product.

They avoid the dropped needles of a real tree, and the LEDs stay cool. Place the tree away from radiators and fires, keep cables tucked out of the way so nobody trips or chews them, and hang breakable ornaments higher up if you have a curious cat or toddler. Snow dusting is decorative and should not be eaten, so discourage pets from chewing the branches.

For the staircase, the Green Pre-Lit Woodland Fir Garland (200 LED) drapes along a banister or across a mantelpiece and is flexible enough to shape around corners. For the front door, the Green Pre-Lit Woodland Fir Wreath (100 LED) is suitable for sheltered outdoor positions as well as inside. Both use the same green woodland fir foliage and warm white LEDs, so they match each other and pair naturally with our green woodland and forest fir trees for a coordinated look from the door to the tree.

Use soft garden ties, clear cable ties or ribbon bows every 30 to 40cm rather than nails or tape, which can mark the wood. Start at the bottom near the plug socket, so the power cable does not trail across the stairs, and keep the cable running along the edge of the steps where nobody will catch a foot on it.

Work from the bottom section upwards. On each branch, separate every tip and angle them in different directions, some up, some out, some slightly down, so the light passes between them. Do the inner branches near the pole too, as that is what hides the centre. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for a 7ft tree; it is worth it.

Fold the branches up gently, keep each section in its original box or a tree storage bag, and store it somewhere cool and dry. Avoid stacking heavy boxes on top, which crushes the branches and can strain the light wiring. Store the garland loosely coiled rather than tightly wound.

As early as you can. Pre-lit trees sell through quickly from October onwards and restock is not guaranteed once a size has gone. Delivery options for your address are shown at checkout, and our delivery page has the details.